"You must have stepped on a stone," Merriwell declared. "Why, you are really beginning to limp in earnest!"
Frank immediately dismounted, after having decided it was Nemo's left hind leg or foot that was lame.
"I'll make an inspection, and see if I can discover what is the matter," said the boy, anxiously.
He examined both of the horse's hind feet, but could not see that anything was wrong.
"If that rascally shoer has blundered in his work he'll not get another chance at you, boy," Merriwell declared.
After patting Nemo's neck and fondling the fine creature a bit, Frank mounted once more.
"This is singular," muttered the perplexed lad. "I don't understand it at all. There's something wrong, for a fact."
He watched the horse, and decided that he had made no mistake in locating the lameness in the left hind leg.
Again he dismounted and made an examination, and again the result was far from satisfactory.
"I wish you might speak and tell me what is the matter," said Frank, in dismay. "I'll have you examined without delay by somebody who knows his business."
He rode slowly into the outskirts of the city.
Of a sudden there was a rattle of wheels and a clatter of hoofs behind him.
He turned and looked back, to see a carriage coming along the road at a reckless rate. Two persons were seated in the carriage, and the horse was covered with sweat.
"Why are those fools driving like that?" muttered Merriwell. "Are they drunk, or is it a matter of life or death?"
The command was hoarsely shouted, and Frank reined aside, having no desire to get in the way of the reckless driver.
Once more the boy on the horse turned to look back.
"Drunk, sure enough," he decided. "And they are two young fellows, too. Students on a tear, perhaps."
The occupants of the carriage had been drinking heavily, but they were not so drunk that they did not recognize the boy in advance when he turned in the saddle the second time.
"Hey, Rolf!" exclaimed the one who was not driving. "It's Merriwell!"
"That's what it is!" cried the driver. "I haven't seen him for some time, but I know his face too well to ever forget it!"
"Run him down! run him down! Throw him off! Now's our chance!"
The driver was just intoxicated enough to be utterly reckless of consequences, and he snarled: